1950s

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Timeline: 1950s

Years: 1950 - 1959	Subject: History, Contemporary History (post 1945)
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191735691

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Year	Event
1950	US state department official Alger Hiss is sentenced to a five-year prison sentence, after being convicted of perjury in a second trial Go to Alger Hiss Trials in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century North America United States French dramatist Eugène Ionesco's play The Bald Prima Donna launches the Theatre of the Absurd Go to Absurd, Theatre of the in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe France In response to the Soviet atom bomb, President Truman announces a crash programme to develop a hydrogen bomb Go to Teller, Edward (1908–2003) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Physics War Weapons Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States A witch hunt begins when Senator Joseph McCarthy says he knows the names of 205 Communists in the US State Department Go to McCarthy, Joseph Raymond (b. 14 Nov. 1908) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States US evangelist Billy Graham forms the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, to take the Christian message to the world Go to Graham, Billy (1918– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity North America United States A prehistoric victim of strangling is found in Tollund Moss in Denmark, with part of the noose still round his neck Go to Tollund, Denmark in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Europe Denmark The Family Moskat, about a Jewish family in Warsaw, is the first of Isaac Bashevis Singer's books to be published in English Go to Singer, Isaac Bashevis (1904–) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction Europe Poland North America United States C.S. Lewis gives the first glimpse of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Go to Narnia in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Anton Dolin and Alicia Markova form the Festival Ballet, in time for next year's Festival of Britain Go to English National Ballet in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain British author Doris Lessing publishes her first novel, The Grass is Singing Go to Lessing, Doris (1919– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The Canadian schooner St Roch becomes the first ship to travel through the Panama Canal and the Northwest Passage, thus circumnavigating North America Go to St Roch in The Oxford Companion to Canadian History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Travel and transport Society Latin America Central America North America Canada US sociologist David Riesman analyzes the American character in The Lonely Crowd Go to Riesman, David (1909–2002) in Dictionary of the Social Sciences (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Social and domestic Society North America United States Chinese troops move into Tibet, meeting little resistance Go to Tibet in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia China Julius Rosenberg is arrested on suspicion of being a Soviet spy, and his wife Ethel is arrested a few weeks later Go to Rosenberg, Julius (b. 12 May 1918) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States North Korean troops cross the 38th parallel to invade the southern half of the region Go to Korean War (1950–3) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea North Korean forces press far enough south to capture the South Korean capital of Seoul Go to Seoul in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea UN troops are sent to defend South Korea, as the invasion from the north rolls on Go to Korean War (1950–3) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea Soweto begins to be built outside Johannesburg to segregate the city's black labour force Go to Soweto, South Africa in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Social and domestic Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Society The British government bans hereditary ruler Seretse Khama from Bechuanaland because he has married a white woman Go to Khama, Sir Seretse (1921–80) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa South Africa Europe Empires Kirsten Flagstad sings the posthumous premiere, in London, of Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs Go to Flagstad, Kirsten (1895) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Germany Britain The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda publishes his epic account of South America and its people, Canto general Go to Neruda, Pablo (1904–1973) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Poetry China Latin America Chile South America UN troops push north across the 38th parallel in a major Korean counter-offensive Go to Korean War in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea Incursions by UN troops far into North Korea give China the pretext to enter the war Go to Korean War in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea The Medical Research Council in Britain produces a report, by Austin Hill and Richard Doll, linking smoking and lung cancer Go to Doll, Sir Richard Shaboe (1912–2005) in A Dictionary of Statistics (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Medicine Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Le Corbusier begins a 15-year project designing Chandigarh as a new joint capital for Punjab and Hariyana Go to Chandigarh in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic)
1951	US boxer Sugar Ray Robinson beats Jake Lamotta to take the middleweight title (for the first of five times) Go to Robinson, Sugar Ray (1920–1989) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society North America United States The Twenty-Second Amendment to the US Constitution prevents anyone being elected for more than two presidential terms Go to Twenty‐second Amendment in The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent US presidents Rulers and politicians North America United States Jacopo Arbenz, newly elected president of Guatemala, enrages the USA by expropriating the land of the United Fruit Company Go to Arbenz Guzmán, Lt. Col. Jacobo (1913) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Society Latin America Central America Elia Kazan directs Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando in the film of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire Go to Kazan, Elia (1909–2003) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States Syntex, a small chemical company in Mexico City, develops the first oral contraceptive Go to Djerassi, Carl (1923–) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Chemistry Latin America Central America Mexico Six European nations agree to joint coal and steel production through the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Go to ECSC in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Commerce and industry Europe France Society The new Iranian prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, passes the Oil Nationalization Act, seizing Britain's assets in the region Go to Iran in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Society German-born US philosopher Hannah Arendt links Hitler's and Stalin's regimes in The Origins of Totalitarianism Go to Arendt, Hannah (1906–1975) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English North America United States The British spies Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean escape to the Soviet Union just ahead of their detection and arrest Go to Burgess, Guy Francis de Moncy (1910–1963) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Russia Britain An agreement is signed by which a joint Tibetan-Chinese authority will nominally govern Tibet Go to Tibet in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia China The Festival of Britain, on the south bank of the Thames in London, celebrates the end of wartime austerity Go to Festival of Britain in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain British architects Arnold Powell and John Moya design the Skylon as a central feature for the Festival of Britain Go to Skylon in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner open on Broadway in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I Go to King and I, The in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre North America United States Catcher in the Rye is US author J.D. Salinger's immensely successful first novel Go to Catcher in the Rye, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States British architect Basil Spence wins the competition to design a new cathedral for Coventry Go to Spence, Sir Basil Urwin (1907–76) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture British architecture Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain UN and Chinese forces reach a stalemate in Korea, facing each other from fixed positions on either side of the 38th Parallel Go to Korean War in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea British author John Wyndham creates a dark fantasy in his novel The Day of the Triffids Go to Wyndham, John in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain In Christ of St John of the CrossSalvador Dali paints an image of the crucified Christ seeming to fly on his cross Go to Dalí, Salvador (1904–89) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Painting Europe Spain British-Canadian choreographer Celia Franca founds the National Ballet of Canada Go to National Ballet of Canada in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance North America Canada The Batllistas, followers in Uruguay of José Batlle, attempt an unusual experiment in the reform of government Go to Uruguay in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Latin America South America A Question of Upbringing begins Anthony Powell's 'A Dance to the Music of Time' Go to Powell, Anthony (1905–2000) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain King Abdullah of Jordan is assassinated on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Go to Abdullah ibn Hussein (b. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Jerusalem Asia West Asia Palestine and Israel US novelist Carson McCullers publishes a collection of stories, The Ballad of the Sad Café Go to McCullers, Carson (1917–67) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States John Huston directs Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in The African Queen, based on a C.S. Forester story Go to Forester, C. S. (1899–1966) in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States The Rake's Progress, with music by Igor Stravinsky and libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, has its premiere in Venice Go to Rake's Progress, The in A Dictionary of Opera Characters (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Venice Europe Italy British art historian Nikolaus Pevsner undertakes a massive task, a county-by-county description of The Buildings of England Go to Pevsner, Sir Nikolaus (30 Jan. 1902) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture British architecture Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Japanese film director Kurosawa Akira makes an international reputation with Rashomon Go to Kurosawa Akira (1910–1998) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Asia East Asia Japan Labour loses the general election and Winston Churchill returns to Downing Street as prime minister Go to Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer (30 Nov. 1874) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain The cult of Chairman Mao is officially encouraged in China, partly through steady publication of his works Go to Mao Tse-tung (1893–1976) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Social and domestic Asia East Asia China Society The first hydrogen bomb is successfully tested by the US at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands Go to hydrogen bomb in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Physics War Weapons Cold war Australia and Oceania Pacific Islands Wars since 1900 North America United States Argentinian driver Juan Manuel Fangio wins the first of five Grand Prix world championship titles Go to Fangio, Juan Manuel (1911–1995) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society Latin America Argentina South America Libya wins independence from Italy, as a kingdom with Idris I as head of state Go to Libya in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires Henri Matisse completes the Chapel of the Rosary at Vence, with every detail designed by himself Go to Matisse, Henri (31 Dec. 1869) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Painting French painting Europe France
1952	George VI dies and is succeeded by his elder daughter as Elizabeth II Go to Elizabeth II (b. 21 Apr. 1926) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain Hans Werner Henze's first full-length opera, Boulevard Solitude, has its premiere in Hanover Go to Henze, Hans Werner (1926– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Germany US boxer Rocky Marciano becomes world heavyweight champion, defeating 'Jersey Joe' Walcott Go to Marciano, Rocky (1923–1969) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society North America United States A decision by the United Nations makes Eritrea an autonomous federal province within Ethiopia Go to Eritrea in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Africa East Africa Ethiopia French economist Jean Monnet becomes the first president of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Go to Monnet, Jean (1888–1979) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Commerce and industry Europe France Society A left-wing coup brings Paz Estenssoro to power and launches a 12-year revolution in Bolivia Go to Paz Estenssoro, Victor (1907–2001) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America South America US author Ralph Ellison publishes his first novel, Invisible Man, a Kafkaesque account of a black immigrant's life in New York Go to Ellison, Ralph (1914–1994) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, working at King's College in London, photographs DNA Go to Franklin, Rosalind (1920–1958) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Physics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The UK car manufacturers Morris and Austin merge to become the British Motor Corporation Go to motor industry in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Commerce and industry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Gene Kelly dances a famous routine with an umbrella in the film Singin' in the Rain Go to Singin' In The Rain in Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States In his first book of Structures, for two pianos, Pierre Boulez provides a classic of serial music Go to Boulez, Pierre (26 March 1925) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Europe France Ernest Hemingway publishes The Old Man and the Sea, about an epic struggle between an aged Cuban fisherman and a gigantic marlin Go to Old Man and the Sea, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction Caribbean North America United States Grace Kelly has her first starring role in High Noon, with Gary Cooper Go to Kelly, Grace (1928–1982) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States Kwame Nkrumah, recently released from gaol, becomes prime minister of the British colony of the Gold Coast Go to Nkrumah, Kwame (c. 1909–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires A group of officers led by Gamal Abdel Nasser depose Egypt's king, Farouk, and send him into exile Go to Nasser, Gamal Abdel (1918–1970) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Empires Albanian missionary Mother Teresa opens the Nirmal Hriday, or Kalighat Home for Dying Destitutes, in Calcutta Go to Teresa, Mother (1910–1997) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity Social and domestic Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Society Eva Perón dies of cancer and achieves the status of a popular saint in Argentina Go to Perón, Eva (1919–1952) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Social and domestic Society Latin America Argentina South America Ahmed Ben Bella forms the Front de Libération National (FLN) to fight for Algerian independence Go to Ben Bella, Mohammed Ahmed (25 Dec. 1916) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires King Adbullah's grandson Hussein (who was with him when he was assassinated in 1951) becomes king of Jordan Go to Al-Hashimi, Hussein bin‐Talal (14 Nov. 1935) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia West Asia British scholar Michael Ventris deciphers Linear B, the script of Mycenae, proving it to be an early form of Greek Go to Linear B in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Evelyn Waugh publishes Men at Arms, the first novel in the Sword of Honour trilogy based on his wartime experiences Go to Waugh, Evelyn (Arthur St John) (1903–1966) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain In his novel East of Eden John Steinbeck develops the biblical theme of Cain and Abel in a family saga set in California Go to East of Eden in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States US clergyman Norman Vincent Peale has a best-seller in The Power of Positive Thinking Go to Peale, Norman Vincent (1898–1993) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English North America United States Vaughan Williams bases his seventh symphony, Sinfonia Antartica, on his score for the film Scott of the Antarctic Go to Vaughan Williams, Ralph (1872–1958) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain An outbreak of terrorism in Kenya is orchestrated by a secret Kikuyu organization, the Mau Mau Go to Mau Mau (1952–9) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires US composer John Cage's 4'33" consists of precisely that number of minutes and seconds of silence Go to Cage, John (1912–1992) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower wins the US presidential election with Richard Nixon as his vice-president Go to Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890–1969) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians North America United States The Modern Jazz Quartet, led by pianist John Lewis, plays in the sophisticated style that becomes known as 'cool jazz' Go to Modern Jazz Quartet in Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States Le Corbusier's completes his most massive modernist development, the Unité d'Habitation at Marseilles Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe France
1953	Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot ('En attendant Godot') is first performed in French in Paris Go to Waiting for Godot in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama British Isles Europe France Ireland Britain British choreographer Kenneth MacMillan creates his first ballet, Somnambulism, to music by Stan Kenton Go to MacMillan, Sir Kenneth (11 Dec. 1929) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Saul Bellow publishes The Adventures of Augie March, a novel about the experiences of a young Chicago Jew Go to Bellow, Saul (1915–2005) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) 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See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States US architect Louis Kahn makes his reputation with the Yale Art Gallery in New Haven Go to Kahn, Louis Isadore (1901–74) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture American architecture North America United States English author L.P. Hartley sets his novel The Go-Between in the summer of 1900 Go to Go-Between, The in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Black American Malcolm Little, who has joined the Nation of Islam while in prison, adopts the surname X to symbolize his rejection of his slave name Go to Malcolm X (1925–1965) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) 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See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Medicine North America United States Imre Nagy becomes prime minister of Hungary, but is driven out of office two years later by hard-line Communists because of his relative liberalism Go to Nagy, Imre (7 June 1896) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 Alfred Charles Kinsey completes his study of human sexuality with the publication of Sexual Behaviour in the Human Female Go to Kinsey Reports in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Social and domestic Society North America United States New Zealander Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa Tenzing Norgay stand together on the top of Everest Go to Hillary, Sir Edmund Percival (1919–2008) in A Dictionary of Sports Studies (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Exploration Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Society US author James Baldwin publishes his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, set in Harlem Go to Baldwin, James (1924–1987) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Poetry North America United States English composer William Walton writes Orb and Sceptre for the coronation of Elizabeth II Go to Orb and Sceptre in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) 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See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States South African author Nadine Gordimer publishes her first novel, The Lying Days Go to Gordimer, Nadine (1923– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature Literature in English Fiction Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) French composer Olivier Messiaen uses birdsong with piano and orchestra in his Waking of the Birds Go to Messiaen, Olivier (Eugène Prosper Charles) (10 Dec. 1908) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Europe France Anglican vicar Chad Varah, using the crypt of a London church, sets up the first branch of what becomes the Samaritans Go to Varah, (Edward) Chad (1911–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain French actor Jacques Tati directs and stars in the zany comedy Mr Hulot's Holiday Go to Tati, Jacques (1908–1982) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe France Swedish economist Dag Hammarskjöld becomes secretary-general of the United Nations Go to Hammarskjöld, Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl (1905–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Europe Sweden US golfer Ben Hogan wins the US Open, the US Masters and the British Open in a single year Go to Hogan, William Ben (1912–97) in A Dictionary of Sports Studies (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society North America United States Within the year Marilyn Monroe stars in Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire Go to Monroe, Marilyn (1926–1962) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States The two Rhodesias and Nyasaland are merged in the self-governing Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Go to Central African Federation in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Zimbabwe Africa South Africa Europe Empires Arthur Miller's play The Crucible uses the Salem witch trials as a metaphor for the contemporary paranoia of McCarthyism Go to Crucible, The in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature American literature Literature in English Drama North America United States An armistice ends the Korean War, leaving several million dead and a country divided either side of a military zone along the 38th parallel Go to Korean War in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Korea The first Soviet hydrogen bomb is successfully tested at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan Go to nuclear bomb in The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Communism Science Physics War Weapons Cold war Asia Central Asia Europe Russia Wars since 1900 The Iranian prime minister Mohammed Mossadegh is removed from office in an armed coup sponsored by the CIA and Britain's MI6 Go to Iran in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Improved methods of testing prove conclusively that Piltdown Man was constructed by Charles Dawson from a human skull and the jaw of an ape Go to Piltdown, Sussex, England in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Cambodia wins independence from the colonial power, France Go to Cambodia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Secret-police chief Lavrenti Beria is executed by the new Soviet regime Go to Beria, Lavrenti Pavlovich 17 (29) Mar. 1899 in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Europe Russia Merce Cunningham forms his own company of dancers, initially at Black Mountain College in North Carolina Go to Cunningham, Merce (16 Apr. 1919) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance North America United States Molecular biologists Francis Crick and James Watson announce their discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA Go to double helix in The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Life sciences Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain
1954	Baseball star Joe Dimaggio marries Marilyn Monroe, but the marriage lasts only a year Go to DiMaggio, Joe (1914–99) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society North America United States Dylan Thomas's 'play for voices', Under Milk Wood, is broadcast on BBC radio, with Richard Burton as narrator Go to Under Milk Wood in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Senator McCarthy's Communist witch-hunt is broadcast live for several weeks on US television Go to McCarthy, Joseph Raymond (b. 14 Nov. 1908) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States Japanese film director Kurasawa Akira directs The Seven Samurai Go to Kurosawa Akira (1910–1998) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Asia East Asia Japan J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb', is investigated for Communist sympathies and his security clearance is withdrawn Go to Oppenheimer, Robert (1904–67) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 North America United States The term Domino Theory is coined to reflect President Eisenhower's view of how states might fall to Communism Go to domino theory in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War US presidents Cold war Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 North America United States A painting by Graham Sutherland, commissioned for Winston Churchill's 80th birthday, does not meet with the full approval of the sitter or his wife Go to Sutherland, Graham (24 Aug. 1903) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Decorative arts British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Bill Haley & His Comets record Rock Around the Clock, providing an early classic of US rock and roll Go to Haley, Bill, And His Comets - Rock Around The Clock in Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States The German firm NSU builds the first working example of the rotary engine invented in 1924 by Felix Wankel Go to Wankel rotary engine in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Technology Engineering Germany Hungarian photographer Robert Capa is killed by a land mine in Vietnam Go to Capa, Robert (1913–1954) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam Alfredo Stroessner seizes power in Paraguay, introducing three decades of repressive dictatorship Go to Stroessner, Alfredo (3 Nov. 1912) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Latin America South America The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends with the surrender to the Vietminh of 12,000 French troops Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Battles Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam The French abandon Vietnam, leaving the country divided at the seventeenth parallel Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War French empire Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam Empires Politician and author Winston Churchill completes his six-volume history The Second World War Go to Churchill, Sir Winston (1874–1965) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain The US Supreme Court rules in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in US schools is illegal Go to Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century North America United States Oxford medical student Roger Bannister runs the first four-minute mile, at the Iffley Road track Go to Bannister, Sir Roger Gilbert (1929– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain George Cukor directs Judy Garland and James Mason in A Star Is Born Go to Star Is Born, A in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States An invasion of Guatemala from Honduras, with CIA support, brings to power a right-wing military junta Go to Guatemala in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Central America Anglo-Irish novelist Iris Murdoch publishes her first novel, Under the Net Go to Murdoch, Dame Iris (1919–99) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Ireland Britain George Grivas leads a guerrilla movement, EOKA, fighting for Cyprus's independence from Britain and union with Greece Go to EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Greece Empires 19-year-old Françoise Sagan has a major international success with her first novel, Bonjour Tristesse Go to Sagan, Françoise (1935–2004) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe France US truck driver Elvis Presley makes his first commercial recordings, for Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee Go to Presley, Elvis Aaron (1935–1977) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States US choreographer Paul Taylor begins a long and fruitful collaboration with Robert Rauschenberg as his set designer Go to Taylor, Paul (29 Jul. 1930) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance North America United States In an armistice ending the Indochina War, France acknowledges the independence of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Europe Empires 18-year-old English jockey Lester Piggott wins the first of a record nine Derbys Go to Piggott, Lester Keith (1935– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Korean evangelist Sun Myung Moon launches the Unification Church, a mission to unify world Christianity Go to Moon, Sun Myung (1920–2012) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity Asia East Asia Korea Seventeen-year-old English footballer Bobby Charlton begins a 19-year career playing for Manchester United Go to Charlton, Bobby (1937– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain The country's president, Getúlio Vargas, commits suicide when the army in Brazil demands his resignation Go to Vargas, Getúlio Dornelles (1883–1954) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Latin America Brazil South America Federico Fellini directs La Strada ('The Road'), starring his wife, Giulietta Masina, and Antony Quinn Go to Fellini, Federico (1920–1993) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Italy Relations are normalized between West Germany and the USA, France and Britain, ending the postwar period of occupation Go to Occupation of Germany in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Cold war Germany Wars since 1900 A radical manifesto and acts of terrorism alert the world to the emergence of the FLN, committed to independence for Algeria Go to Front de Libération nationale in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires Gamal Abd al-Nasser mounts another coup, this time against his colleague Mohammed Neguib, to make himself president of Egypt Go to Nasser, Gamal Abd al‐ (b. 15 Jan. 1918) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Egypt William Walton's opera Troilus and Cressida has its premiere at Covent Garden Go to Walton, William (1902) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain English author Kingsley Amis's first novel, Lucky Jim, strikes an anti-establishment chord Go to Amis, Sir Kingsley (1922–95) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain William Golding gives a chilling account of schoolboy savagery in his first novel, Lord of the Flies Go to Lord of the Files, in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Hancock's Half Hour, starring Tony Hancock, begins on BBC radio Go to Hancock, Tony (1924–1968) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Nasser escapes an assassination attempt by the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood Go to Muslim Brotherhood in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam Africa North Africa Egypt Le Corbusier completes the reinforced-concrete pilgrimage church of Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamp Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe France
1955	Michael Tippett's first opera, A Midsummer Marriage, has its premiere at Covent Garden Go to Tippett, Michael (1905) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Norodom Sihanouk abdicates as king of Cambodia and becomes the country's prime minister Go to Sihanouk, Norodom (b. 31 Oct. 1922) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Swedish director Ingmar Bergman wins international fame with his film Smiles of a Summer Night Go to Bergman, Ingmar (1918–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Sweden Elia Kazan directs James Dean in East of Eden Go to Ellison, Ralph (1914–1994) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States Richard Daley begins a powerful and often unscrupulous reign of 22 years as mayor of Chicago Go to Daley, Richard Joseph, Snr. (15 May 1902) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent North America United States An armed uprising in Morocco persuades France to accept the principle of independence for the colony Go to Morocco in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires 81-year-old Winston Churchill resigns as Britain's prime minister and is succeeded by Anthony Eden Go to Eden, Robert Anthony (12 June 1897) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain Canadian pianist Glenn Gould wins international fame with his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations Go to Gould, Glenn Herbert (1932–82) in The Oxford Companion to Canadian History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America Canada Russia forms the Warsaw Treaty Organization (or Warsaw Pact) with her east European allies, as a counterbalance to NATO Go to Warsaw Pact in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Europe Russia Wars since 1900 Kingsley Amis and other young writers in Britain become known as Angry Young Men Go to Angry Young Men in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Tennessee Williams' play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens on Broadway Go to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature American literature Literature in English Drama North America United States Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis forms his own quintet, extending it in 1958 to a sextet Go to Davis, Miles Dewey (1926–1991) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American is set in contemporary Vietnam and foresees troubles ahead Go to Quiet American, The in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Thomas Mann publishes a longer but still incomplete version of his novel Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man Go to Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull. Der Memoiren erster Teil in The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature German literature Fiction Europe Germany Nasser alarms the west by buying eastern-bloc arms through Czechoslovakia Go to Nasser, Gamal Abdel in The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Cold war Africa North Africa Egypt Wars since 1900 Austria achieves a much delayed return to nationhood after the Soviet Union finally agrees to withdraw from the country Go to Austrian State Treaty (15 May 1955) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Second World War 20th century Politics War Cold war Austria Wars since 1900 The first Disneyland opens in California, an event watched on television by 90 million Americans Go to Disney in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Social and domestic Society North America United States Konrad Adenauer negotiates the release of the last 10,000 German prisoners of war held in the USSR Go to Adenauer, Konrad (b. 5 Jan. 1876) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Europe Germany Russia James Dean is type-cast as the young lead in Rebel without a Cause Go to Dean, James (1931–1955) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States English poet Philip Larkin finds his distinctive voice in his collection The Less Deceived Go to Larkin, Philip Arthur (1922–1985) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain British dancer Joan Benesh and her husband Rudolf develop the Benesh system of dance notation Go to Benesh, Rudolf in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Archaeologists at Olympia excavate the workshop of the Greek classical sculptor Phidias Go to Phidias (c.430 bc) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Europe Greece Indian director Satyajit Ray makes his first film, Pather Panchali Go to Ray, Satyajit (1921–1992) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) A military uprising in Argentina forces Perón to resign and go into exile Go to Perón, Juan Domingo (8 Oct. 1895) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Latin America Argentina South America With US backing, South Vietnam declares itself an independent republic Go to Vietnam in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Vietnam Arthur Miller's play A View from the Bridge is performed in New York Go to View from the Bridge, A in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature American literature Literature in English Drama North America United States Baptist pastor Martin Luther King leads the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks is arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man Go to Montgomery Bus Boycott in Black Women in America (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Social and domestic Society North America United States Edna Everage, created by Australian satirist Barry Humphries, makes her first appearance in a Melbourne revue Go to Everage, Edna in The Oxford Companion to Australian Literature (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Australia and Oceania Australia British philologist J.R.R. Tolkien publishes the third and final volume of his epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings Go to Lord of the Rings, The in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Ruth Ellis, sentenced to death for the murder of an unfaithful lover, is the last woman to be hanged in Britain Go to capital punishment in The New Oxford Companion to Law (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain
1956	Civil war breaks out in Sudan between the Muslim north and the Christian south Go to Sudan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity Islam War Africa East Africa Heartbreak Hotel, Presley's first recording for RCA, goes to the top of all three US charts Go to Presley, Elvis Aaron (1935–1977) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music North America United States The Sudan, declining the opportunity of union with Egypt, opts for independence as a separate state Go to Sudan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa East Africa Europe Empires Brigitte Bardot is directed by her husband Roger Vadim in his first film, And God Created Woman Go to Bardot, Brigitte (1934– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe France Nikita Khrushchev denounces Stalin, dead now for three years, at a party congress in the USSR Go to Khrushchev, Nikita (1894–1971) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Europe Russia Jerome Robbins creates the ballet The Concert, to music by Chopin Go to Robbins, Jerome (11 Oct. 1918) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance North America United States The musical My Fair Lady, by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, opens on Broadway Go to My Fair Lady in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre North America United States Tunisia wins independence from France, with Habib Bourguiba as prime minister Go to Tunisia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires French Morocco and Spanish Morocco win independence from the two colonial powers Go to Morocco in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Spanish empire Africa North Africa Europe Empires The English Stage Company, founded by George Devine, opens in London's Royal Court Theatre Go to English Stage Company in The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The first true synthesizer is put on the market by RCA Victor Go to synthesizer in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Commerce and industry Technology Inventions and discoveries Society North America United States English poet Ted Hughes marries US poet Sylia Plath Go to Hughes, Ted (1930–1998) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain North America United States The Visit, by Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt, has its premiere in Zürich Go to Dürrenmatt, Friedrich (1921–1990) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Switzerland After a plebiscite British Togo is merged with the neighbouring colony of the Gold Coast Go to Togo in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires The husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames design a much copied lounge chair and footstool, made of moulded plywood with padded leather cushions Go to Eames, Charles (1907–78) in A Dictionary of Modern Design (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Decorative arts American art North America United States Anastasio Somoza is assassinated on a visit to Panama, but the dictatorship of Nicaragua remains in his family Go to Somoza (1933–79) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Latin America Central America Karlheinz Stockhausen's Song of the Children combines electronic sounds and the human voice Go to Stockhausen, Karlheinz (1928–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Germany The Sadler's Wells Ballet, dancing now at Covent Garden, is renamed the Royal Ballet Go to Royal Ballet, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Russian dancer Galina Ulanova proves a sensation on tour in Europe and the USA in her late forties Go to Ulanova, Galina (8 Jan. 1910) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Russia North America United States The USA and Britain withdraw their offer of financial aid for Nasser's Aswan dam Go to Aswan High Dam in Encyclopedia of Africa (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Cold war Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Wars since 1900 Britain North America United States Egypt's president Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez canal and wins Soviet finance for his Aswan dam Go to Suez Crisis in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War British prime ministers - from 1830 Cold war Africa North Africa Egypt Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Sicilian author Giuseppe de Lampedusa completes his novel The Leopard, but does not live to see it published Go to Tomasi Di Lampedusa, Giuseppe (1896–1957) in The Oxford Companion to Italian Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature Italian literature Fiction Sicily Europe Italy Eugene O'Neill's searing account of tensions within his own family, Long Day's Journey into Night, has its premiere in Stockholm Go to Long Day's Journey into Night in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature American literature Literature in English Drama North America United States Lawrence Ferlinghetti is prosecuted and acquitted for publishing Allen Ginsberg's Howl Go to Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (1920– ) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Poetry North America United States Hans Werner Henze's opera The Stag King has its premiere in Berlin Go to König Hirsch in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Germany John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger features in the first season of London's new English Stage Company Go to Look Back in Anger in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Nasser disregards a French and British ultimatum to withdraw from the Suez canal Go to Suez Crisis in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War British prime ministers - from 1830 Africa North Africa Egypt Rulers and politicians Students are fired on in Budapest when protesting against repressive Communist policies Go to Hungary in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 Confronted by a popular uprising, Communist leaders in Hungary bring back the reformist prime minister Imre Nagy Go to Hungary in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 Israeli troops invade the Sinai peninsula, a province of Egypt bordering the Suez canal Go to Suez crisis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War Asia West Asia Palestine and Israel The British and French bomb Egyptian airfields, and land troops near Port Said and the Suez canal Go to Suez crisis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century War British prime ministers - from 1830 Africa North Africa Egypt Rulers and politicians Russian and Warsaw Pact troops invade Hungary to end the uprising and arrest Imre Nagy Go to Hungary in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Conquest and colonization War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 The Kremlin imposes János Kádár on Hungary as head of a new government Go to Hungary in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Conquest and colonization War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 Under international pressure Britain and France agree to a humiliating withdrawal from Suez Go to Suez crisis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War British prime ministers - from 1830 Africa North Africa Egypt Rulers and politicians Melbourne hosts the Olympics, in what becomes known as 'the Friendly Games' Go to Olympic Games in The Oxford Companion to Australian History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Australia and Oceania Society Australia 18-year-old Australian sprinter Betty Cuthbert wins three gold medals in the Melbourne Olympics, at 100m, 200m and 400m Go to Cuthbert, Betty (1938– ) in The Oxford Companion to Australian History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Australia and Oceania Society Australia Japanese novelist Yukio Mishima publishes The Temple of the Golden Pavilion Go to Mishima, Yukio (1925–1970) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature Fiction Asia East Asia Japan Europe The MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) is formed as a guerrilla movement to end Portuguese rule Go to Angola in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War Portuguese empire Africa South Africa Empires Communist activist Fidel Castro returns from Mexico to Cuba to organize guerrilla warfare against the Batista regime Go to Castro Ruz, Fidel (13 Aug. 1926) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Caribbean Cuba Mexico Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected for a second US presidential term, again with Richard Nixon as his vice-president Go to Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890–1969) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians North America United States The British queen, Elizabeth II, moves the traditional royal Christmas address from radio to TV Go to Elizabeth II (b. 21 Apr. 1926) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain The ballet Spartacus, with music by Aram Khachaturian, has its premiere in Leningrad Go to Spartacus in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Russia
1957	Anthony Eden resigns as UK prime minister after the fiasco of the Suez Crisis, and is succeeded by Harold Macmillan Go to Eden, Robert Anthony (12 June 1897) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain Danish architect Jørn Utzon wins the competition to design Sydney Opera House Go to Utzon, Jørn Oberg (1918–2008) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture Australia and Oceania Europe Denmark Australia With his Hundred Flowers Campaign ('Let a hundred flowers bloom'), Mao Zedong invites criticism and then locks up the critics Go to Hundred Flowers campaign (1956–7) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Asia East Asia China French critic Roland Barthes develops in Mythologies the theory of semiotics, relating to signs and symbols Go to Barthes, Roland (1915–1980) in Dictionary of the Social Sciences (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Europe France De Valera takes stringent measures against the IRA and Sinn Fein, detaining activists in an internment camp Go to de Valera, Eamon (1882–1975) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics British Isles Europe Ireland Britain Kwame Nkrumah leads the Gold Coast into independence under a name of historic resonance, Ghana Go to Ghana in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa West Africa Europe Empires US novelist John Cheever publishes The Wapshot Chronicle, depicting a wealthy and eccentric family in Massachusetts Go to Cheever, John (1912–1982) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States Fred Hoyle, William Fowler, and Margaret and Geoffrey Burbidge explain stellar nucleosynthesis Go to Fowler, William Alfred (1911–1995) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain North America United States At a conference in Bermuda, Harold Macmillan meets Eisenhower and patches up the 'special relationship' after the rift over Suez Go to special relationship in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century US novelist Mary McCarthy describes the religious pressures she grew up with in Memories of a Catholic Girlhood Go to McCarthy, Mary (1912–) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Religion Christianity North America United States Australian artist Arthur Boyd begins his series of paintings about an aboriginal stockman, Love, Marriage and Death of a Half-Caste Go to Boyd, Arthur (24 July 1920) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Painting Australia and Oceania Australia The Hawk in the Rain is English author Ted Hughes' first volume of poems Go to Hughes, Ted (1930–1998) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Six founding nations (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, West Germany) establish the European Economic Community (EEC) Go to Rome, Treaty of (25 May 1957) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Europe France Germany Italy Society The FNLA is established, with US support, as a guerrilla group to fight for a non-communist independent Angola Go to Angola in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics War European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Cold war Africa South Africa Europe Empires Wars since 1900 Jack Kerouac publishes a largely autobiographical novel, On the Road, describing his experiences travelling through the US and Mexico Go to McCarthy, Mary (1912–) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction Latin America Mexico North America United States Arnold Schoenberg's opera Moses and Aaron, incomplete at his death, has its premiere in Zurich Go to Moses und Aron in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Switzerland Nikita Khrushchev's position in the Soviet Communist party is secure after the failure of a plot to remove him Go to Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeevich (b. 5 Apr) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism Europe Russia In Voss Australian author Patrick White creates an epic novel about a disastrous attempt to cross the continent Go to Voss in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature Literature in English Fiction Australia and Oceania Australia Polish-born British composer Andrzej Panufnik wins an international reputation with his Sinfonia elegiaco Go to Panufnik, Sir Andrzej (24 Sept. 1914) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Poland The publication of the novel Justine launches Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet Go to Durrell, Lawrence (1912–90) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Alexandria Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Spanish-born Paris designer Cristóbal Balenciaga produces an ostensibly shapeless garment, the 'sack', that greatly excites the world of fashion Go to Balenciaga, Cristóbal (1895–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Decorative arts Social and domestic French art Europe France Spain Society In Syntactic Structures Noam Chomsky proposes the revolutionary theory that humans inherit an innate universal grammar Go to Chomsky, Noam Avram (1928– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Science North America United States John Diefenbaker heads a minority government in Canada, ending twenty-two years of Liberal rule Go to Diefenbaker, John George (18 Sept 1895) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics North America Canada Barbadian cricketer Gary Sobers, playing in Kingston, Jamaica, against Pakistan, makes a record Test score of 365 not out Go to Sobers, Gary (1936– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society Latin America Caribbean David Lean directs William Holden, Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins in The Bridge on the River Kwai Go to Lean, Sir David (1908–1991) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain English author John Braine publishes his first novel, Room at the Top Go to Braine, John (1922–86) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain US paratroops enforce desegregation in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas Go to Little Rock in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Social and domestic US presidents Society Rulers and politicians North America United States A country doctor, François Duvalier, is elected president of Haiti on a massive popular vote Go to Duvalier, François (14 Apr. 1907) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Latin America Caribbean English author Stevie Smith publishes her collection of poems Not Waving but Drowning Go to Smith, Stevie (1903–1971) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Laurence Olivier brings the music-hall artist Archie Rice vibrantly to life in John Osborne's The Entertainer Go to Entertainer, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The USSR launches Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite Go to Sputnik in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Europe Russia The success of the USSR in launching Sputnik prompts the establishment of NASA in the USA Go to NASA in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space North America United States Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins and Stephen Sondheim create the Broadway musical West Side Story Go to West Side Story in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre North America United States Swedish director Ingmar Bergman's film The Seventh Seal wins the Jury Prize at Cannes Go to Bergman, Ingmar (1918–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Sweden Christian Dior dies and is followed by Yves St Laurent as head designer at the famous fashion house Go to St Laurent, Yves Mathieu (1936– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts Decorative arts Social and domestic French art Europe France Society German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen uses three separate orchestras to achieve acoustic space in Gruppen Go to Stockhausen, Karlheinz (1928–2007) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Germany Boris Pasternak's only novel, Doctor Zhivago, is first published in an Italian translation Go to Pasternak, Boris Leonidovich (1890–1960) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature Fiction Europe Russia Oscar Niemeyer is appointed chief architect for his country's new capital, Brasilia Go to Niemeyer, Oscar (1907– ) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture American architecture Latin America Brazil South America The Russian spacecraft Sputnik II puts into space a living creature, the dog Laika Go to Sputnik in The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Europe Russia Latvian-Canadian dancer Ludmilla Chiriaeff founds the Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal Go to Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, Les in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance North America Canada Abdul Rahman Putra becomes the first prime minister of independent Malaya Go to Abdul Rahman Putra, Tunku (b. 8 Feb. 1903) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics British empire Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Empires
1958	Egypt and Syria merge as the United Arab Republic (but disengage three years later) Go to United Arab Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Egypt Asia West Asia Lebanon and Syria Eight members of the Manchester United football team die in an air crash when flying back to England from Belgrade via Munich Go to Busby Babes in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain The Venezuelan dictator Marcos Jiménez escapes to the USA with an estimated fortune of $200 million Go to Venezuela in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Latin America South America Lynn Seymour creates the first of many roles for MacMillan, dancing the Adolescent in The Burrow Go to Seymour, Lynn (8 Mar. 1939) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain A Commonwealth team, led by Vivian Fuchs, completes the first overland crossing of Antarctica Go to Fuchs, Sir Vivian Ernest (1908–1999) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Exploration Society Irish dramatist Brendan Behan's play The Hostage is produced in Dublin Go to Behan, Brendan (1923–1964) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain In The Affluent Society US economist John Kenneth Galbraith criticizes wasteful modern consumerism Go to Galbraith, John Kenneth (1908–2006) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Commerce and industry Society North America United States French Algerians seize government buildings in Algiers, in a campaign to ensure that Algerian remains French Go to Algerian War of Independence (1954–62) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires Chicken Soup with Barley begins a trilogy by English playwright Arnold Wesker Go to Wesker, Arnold (1932) in The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The Fire Raisers, by Swiss dramatist Max Frisch, is performed in Zürich Go to Fire Raisers, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Switzerland Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita is published in Paris Go to Lolita in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Fiction Europe France North America United States The national assembly in Paris grants de Gaulle six months of unrestricted power as president – his condition for returning to government Go to Gaulle, Charles de (b. 22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Europe France On his second day in power, de Gaulle visits Algiers to confront the settlers with an unwelcome message Go to Gaulle, Charles de (b. 22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe France Empires The new hard-line Hungarian government headed by János Kádár tries and executes Imre Nagy Go to Kádár, János (b. 26 May 1912) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Europe Hungary Wars since 1900 Paul Newman stars in the film version of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Go to Newman, Paul (1925–2008) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States Yasser Arafat and others in Kuwait found Al-Fatah, a secret organization advocating armed resistance against Israel Go to Fatah, al‐ in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia West Asia Palestine and Israel The king of Iraq, Faisal II, is murdered in Baghdad in a coup led by Abdul Karim Qassim Go to Faisal II (b. 2 May 1935) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Mesopotamia Asia West Asia Iraq John Cranko's version of Romeo and Juliet, to Prokofiev's score, is premiered by La Scala Ballet in Venice Go to Romeo and Juliet in The International Encyclopedia of Dance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Venice Europe Italy Truman Capote publishes a short novel, Breakfast at Tiffany's, with a bewitching central character, Holly Golightly Go to Breakfast at Tiffany's in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States Irish writer Brendan Behan's autobiographical Borstal Boy is published Go to Behan, Brendan (1923–1964) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century British Isles Europe Ireland Britain Nigerian dramatist Wole Soyinka's play The Swamp Dwellers is produced in London Go to Soyinka, Wole (1934– ) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature American literature Literature in English German literature Drama Africa West Africa Germany Polish film director Andrzej Wajda makes Ashes and Diamonds, starring the Polish actor Zbigniew Cybulski Go to Wajda, Andrzej (1927– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Poland The baseball teams Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants move to California Go to Baseball. in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Society North America United States English author Alan Sillitoe publishes his first novel, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Go to Saturday Night and Sunday Morning in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain 18-year-old British pop singer Cliff Richard has his first hit single with Move It Go to Richard, Sir Cliff (1940– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain French citizens approve the new constitution proposed by de Gaulle, thus introducing the Fifth Republic Go to Fifth Republic, French in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Europe France The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is launched in Britain with Bertrand Russell as president Go to CND in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Nationalist Kurds in the north of Iraq launch a guerrilla war against the new government in Baghdad Go to Kurdistan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Mesopotamia Asia West Asia Iraq Harold Pinter's first play in London's West End, The Birthday Party, closes in less than a week Go to Birthday Party, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain The colony of French Guinea opts for immediate independence as the republic of Guinea, breaking its links with France Go to Guinea in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa French empire Africa West Africa Europe Empires Mao Zedong imposes on China a Great Leap Forward, an attempt at industrialization that results in economic chaos and widespread famine Go to Great Leap Forward (1958–60) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Asia East Asia China Society Sekou Touré, the first president of Guinea, settles in for twenty-six years of dictatorial rule Go to Touré, Ahmed Sékou (9 Jan. 1922) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Africa West Africa The cartoonist Vicky depicts Harold Macmillan as Supermac in London's Evening Standard See this event in other timelines: 20th century Europe Britain Hendrik Verwoerd becomes prime minister of South Africa on the death of J.G. Strijdom Go to Verwoerd, Hendrik Frensch (b. 8 Sept. 1901) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Ayub Khan, commander-in-chief of the Pakistani army, replaces Iskander Mirza as president in a bloodless coup Go to Ayub Khan, Muhammad (b. 14 May 1907) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) Pakistan Angelo Roncalli is elected pope and takes the name John XXIII Go to John XXIII (1881–1963) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Italy Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson complete a skyscraper for Seagram in New York Go to Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig (1886–1969) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture American architecture North America United States Charles de Gaulle is elected first President of France's Fifth Republic Go to De Gaulle, Charles (22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Europe France Dictator Fulgencio Batista flees from Cuba, leaving Havana open to Fidel Castro and his victorious guerrillas Go to Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio (1901–1973) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Caribbean Cuba
1959	Fidel Castro begins more than four decades of authoritarian rule in Cuba Go to Castro Ruz, Fidel (b. 13 Aug. 1927) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Caribbean Cuba Alaska becomes the 49th state of the USA Go to Alaska in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics North America United States Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 goes into orbit round the sun, between the orbits of Earth and Mars Go to Luna in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Europe Russia Pope John XXIII summons a second Vatican Council Go to Vatican Council, Second (1962–65) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Italy Francis Poulenc and Jean Cocteau collaborate on La Voix Humaine, a concerto for soprano voice and orchestra Go to Voix humaine, La in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Europe France Australian soprano Joan Sutherland becomes a star overnight with her performance at Covent Garden in Lucia di Lammermoor Go to Sutherland, Dame Joan (1926–2010) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Australia and Oceania Europe Australia Britain In the Hola camp, in Kenya, eleven Mau Mau prisoners die from their treatment at the hand of British forces Go to Mau Mau (1952–9) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Africa The Dalai Lama escapes from Tibet to India after the Chinese suppression of an armed uprising costing thousands of lives Go to Dalai Lama (1935– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Asia East Asia China South Asia India (the subcontinent) India (republic) Alfred Hitchcock directs Cary Grant in North by Northwest Go to Hitchcock, Sir Alfred (1899–1980) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States German novelist Günter Grass has an immediate success with his first novel, The Tin Drum Go to Grass, Günter Wilhelm (1927– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature German literature Fiction Europe Germany Liu Shaoqi replaces Mao Zedong as China's president after the Great Leap Forward fiasco, but Mao remains Chairman Go to Liu Shaoqi (b. 24 Nov. 1898) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia China Mary Leakey finds in the Olduvai Gorge the first specimen of a new hominid species, now known as Australopithecus Boisei Go to Leakey, Louis Seymour Bazett (1903–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Africa East Africa Vice-president Richard Nixon engages in a 'kitchen debate' with Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev at a US exhibition in Moscow Go to Nixon, Richard M. (1913–1994) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Communism War US presidents Cold war Europe Russia Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 North America United States The Mini is launched, designed by Alec Issigonis, and becomes the best-selling British car of all time Go to Issigonis, Alec (1906–88) in A Dictionary of Modern Design (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Commerce and industry Social and domestic Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Lee Kuan Yew becomes the first prime minister of the newly independent state of Singapore Go to Lee Kuan Yew (16 Sept. 1923) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Europe Empires Billy Wilder directs Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like it Hot Go to Wilder, [Samuel] Billy (1906–2002) in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film North America United States Saul Bellow publishes Henderson the Rain King, in which an American millionaire acquires a strange role in an African tribe Go to Henderson the Rain King in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States On the retirement of de Valera, Sean Lemass succeeds him as leader of Fianna F´il and prime minister of Ireland Go to Lemass, Sean (b. 15 July 1899) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics British Isles Europe Ireland Britain The Transkei becomes the first African homeland, or Bantustan, within South Africa Go to Bantustan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) ETA (Euzkadi Ta Askatasuna) is formed in Spain as a guerrilla organization to win Basque independence Go to Basques in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Spain The first prototype of the Hovercraft, designed by British engineer Christopher Cockerell, crosses the English Channel Go to Cockerell, Sir Christopher Sydney (1910–1999) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Technology Engineering Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Achmed Sukarno assumes dictatorial powers, operating an Indonesian policy officially known as Guided Democracy Go to Sukarno, Achmad (b. 6 June 1901) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Hiroshima Mon Amour is French director Alain Resnais' first feature film, with screenplay by Marguerite Duras Go to Resnais, Alain (b. 1922) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Film Europe France West Indian poet and playwright Derek Walcott founds the Trinidad Theatre Workshop Go to Walcott, Derek (1930– ) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Latin America Caribbean Keith Waterhouse has a wide success with his second novel, Billy Liar Go to Waterhouse, Keith (1929–2009) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Hawaii becomes the 50th state of the USA Go to Hawaii in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics North America United States Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 successfully strikes the moon, in the Palus Putredinus region Go to Luna in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Europe Russia Asterix, written by René Goscinny and drawn by Albert Uderzo, makes his first appearance, in the French magazine Pilote Go to Astérix in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Arts French art Europe France Solomon Bandaranaike is assassinated by a Buddhist monk after only three years as prime minister of Sri Lanka Go to Bandaranaike, S. W. R. D. (1899–1959) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia South Asia India (the subcontinent) Sri Lanka A group of dancers leave the Netherlands Ballet and establish their own Netherlands Dance Theatre in The Hague Go to Nederlands Dans Theater in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Netherlands Soviet spacecraft Luna 3, passing by the moon at a distance of some 40,000 miles, is able to photograph the far side Go to Luna in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Science Astronomy and space Europe Russia The St Lawrence Seaway, a joint Canadian and US project, links the Great Lakes and the sea Go to St Lawrence Seaway in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Technology Engineering North America Canada US author William Burroughs' Naked Lunch, an account of the horrors of a junkie's life, is published in Paris Go to Naked Lunch, The in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States Harold Pinter's second play in London's West End, The Caretaker, immediately brings him an international reputation Go to Caretaker, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature English literature Literature in English Drama Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Rwanda suffers the first nationwide outbreak of Hutu violence against Tutsis Go to Rwanda in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Africa East Africa Australian Grand Prix driver Jack Brabham wins the first of his three Formula One titles Go to Brabham, Jack (1926– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Australia and Oceania Society Australia Philip Roth publishes his first book, Goodbye, Columbus, a novella and five short stories Go to Roth, Philip (1933– ) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States British author Laurie Lee remembers a Cotswold boyhood in Cider with Rosie Go to Lee, Laurie (1914–97) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Billy Wright becomes the first football player to win 100 caps for England Go to Wright, Billy (1924–1994) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain William Gibson's play The Miracle Worker dramatizes the extraordinary story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Go to Gibson, William (1914–) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Theatre North America United States Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum opens in New York after seventeen years of work on the project Go to Wright, Frank Lloyd (1869–1959) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture American architecture North America United States

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date: 13 May 2025

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